Brown MS Weekly Update
May 12, 2023
Dear Brown MS Community,
This past week was teacher appreciation week and our first "Brown MS Kindness Week". On behalf of all of the faculty and staff at Brown, we thank the PTO for their generous and delicious dessert buffet that was put out for us on Wednesday afternoon. The PTO included cards of appreciation for the teachers that now hang on the board outside the main office for all of the teachers to see. We also raffled off gift cards that were donated by parents for the teachers. Thank you for all of this and also for the many notes and messages sent to individual teachers this week. They really do mean so much.
Kindness week was a terrific idea that our energetic PTO presidents turned into action. They hung a large banner in the front lobby and greeted students as they arrived with stickers and positive messages each morning. We collected papers with examples of kindness that students had either experienced or witnessed this week during advisory. These colorful papers filled our two water jugs in the front lobby and were a visual demonstration of what we can do together. Our student kindness ambassadors worked to generate excitement around being kind and celebrating kindness. Each morning during announcements they shared a message about a specific skill that we could all focus on that demonstrates kindness.
- Monday - Smiling
- Tuesday - Pausing & Listening
- Wednesday - Helping others
- Thursday - Empathy
- Friday - Forgiving
We plan to make this a tradition in both fall and spring next year. Thank you to our PTO presidents, Janelle Phillips, Denise Dandrea and Yvonne Chen and to our teachers Mr. Adams, Ms. Theodore and Ms. Daoust for all their help and support to make this a reality.
I would be remiss if I did not mention what an amazing job Brown Working Theatre did on their two productions last Friday night. They presented Governing Alice and 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse. Hats off to cast & crew and teachers Lucy Kania and Dolores Coletti for leading this terrific production!
This Sunday is Mother's Day, and I wish all of you mothers out there a day where you relax while your children wait on you! (I realize this is a tall order, but we can all wish for it...). One of my two children will be home from college for Mother's Day, and he and my husband will be making dinner. I am envisioning myself relaxing on the back porch while they bring me whatever I wish - I am so ready for that!
This news letter contains many upcoming events, so please take a look and mark your calendars. The end of the school year is fast approaching!
Enjoy the weekend,
Kim Lysaght, Principal
Library Books Wanted
Ms. Quesada Montville is looking to get all of the library books that have been checked out back before the end of the school year. Here are some dates to be aware of:
June 7 - last day to check out books (limit of one)
June 14- all library books are due
June 15/16th- bills for lost books will be sent
After School Activities - Last day Thursday, June 8th
Please take a look at our spring extracurricular activities. There continue to be many opportunities for students to get involved. This is a great way for them to explore new interests and expand their friendship groups. Click here to view the schedule of after school activities.
Newton Neighbors Service Initiative
May 21, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Horace Mann Housing Complex
Along with our partners at the Newton Housing Authority and Newton Community Farm, Newton Neighbors is launching a project to plant container gardens for eligible seniors at the Horace Mann Housing Complex (corner of Watertown and Walker Streets, Newtonville).
This project is a great way to get outdoors, meet your neighbors, and help beautify the space at the Horace Mann Complex. It is also a great project for kids! We welcome volunteers of all ages and experience levels.
The project will take place on May 21, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Volunteers can sign up for two-hour shifts at https://www.tinyurl.com/NNcontainergarden.
Please contact Susan Vaughn at susanv@newtonneighbors.org with any questions.
